"How thoughtful of you," the Empress replied.

The other concubines silently watched the two of them argue, not daring to speak. A scene like this happened every few days, so everyone was used to it.

’Eat more, talk less.’ That was the only way to protect oneself.

Noble Princess Consort Zhan sat quietly, as if she were in a world of her own. She was a faction unto herself; no matter how fiercely the other two debated, it had nothing to do with her.

The Empress and Consort Yuan would never drag her into their fights, but if any of the other concubines misspoke even slightly, they would be pulled into the fray.

"Pangtuan, are you tired?" Lady Zhan turned and asked quietly.

"A little bored."

Lady Zhan nodded and stood up. "Your Majesty, I’m suddenly feeling a bit unwell. I’ll take Qian Ning and excuse myself for now."

"Is it serious, Lady Zhan? Should I summon an Imperial Physician to have a look?"

"It’s just an old ailment. I’ll be fine after a little rest," Lady Zhan said.

"Very well. Please take care of yourself, Lady Zhan."

"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty." Lady Zhan curtsied, took Ye Qianning’s hand, and started to turn.

"If Lady Zhan is unwell, she should go back and rest. But Miss Xiang can wait until after the meal to return," Consort Yuan’s sharp voice cut in.

"Ye Qianning came to the palace with me. I won’t be at ease until I see her home safely."

"What are you afraid of, Lady Zhan? Do you really think someone would dare bully her in the Imperial Palace?"

"Your Highness, the child..."

"Grandmother, why don’t I take you to the Imperial Physician’s office first? We can go home after lunch," Ye Qianning said, knowing it wouldn’t be easy to leave now.

"Alright."

’It seems this is the only way.’

"I will have someone summon the Imperial Physician. Lady Zhan, please sit and rest if you are unwell." The Empress didn’t want them to leave so quickly either.

"Yes." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Their attempt to leave having failed, Lady Zhan had no choice but to sit down again with Ye Qianning.

"This servant greets Your Majesty, the Empress." A young eunuch hurried in.

"What is it?"

"Dean Chen has arrived to tutor the Crown Prince. The Emperor has instructed this servant to ask the Crown Prince to proceed to the front hall."

The Empress was instantly displeased. Dean Chen truly valued the Crown Prince. During the past few days of recess, he had been either teaching the Crown Prince at the General’s residence or coming to the Imperial Palace to do so.

Consort Yuan was delighted. "Go on, then. You must learn well from the Dean."

"Yes. Your son takes his leave."

Sang Qi spoke, bowed to the Empress, then shot a glare at Ye Qianning before leaving with a cold snort.

Cui Xin came forward with a tray of freshly brewed tea. She poured a cup for each of the concubines before handing the teapot to the palace maid beside the Empress.

"Come, sisters, please try this year’s new tea." Consort Yuan was the first to take a sip.

The aroma of the tea filled the air, and its flavor was rich and mellow.

Spring Tea was the finest tea in Beili. The leaves were of a rare variety, and only the first harvest of the year could produce such a mellow flavor.

The Empress and the other concubines also found it delicious.

Princess Heliang was very fond of tea. Spring Tea was extremely rare, and she had only had it a few times. She had been thinking about it ever since, so today’s visit was not in vain.

Ye Qianning caught the faint scent of tea. ’Nothing special.’ In her eyes, nothing from the Imperial Palace was worth a second glance.

’It’s just a pity I’m too young right now and can’t be too conspicuous.’

"Royal Aunt, is it really good? Can I have a taste?" Nanxiang asked, looking tempted.

"Children shouldn’t drink this for now."

Nanxiang deflated. "Okay."

"Cui Xin, prepare some fruit tea for Miss Xiang and the little Commandery Princess," Consort Yuan ordered.

"Yes."

Cui Xin withdrew and returned about a minute later with a tray.

"I love fruit tea the most!" Nanxiang came down from her seat and returned to Princess Changyang’s side.

Cui Xin placed a cup in front of Ye Qianning and another on the table before the little Commandery Princess.

Nanxiang picked it up and sniffed. ’Smells so good!’

Ye Qianning glanced at it. The liquid in the cup was brownish and smelled like hawthorn tea, but the scent also had a hint of something else...

She lifted the cup, her gaze lowered. Hidden within the tea was a poison. It wasn’t lethal, but it was addictive.

’A toxin even more addictive than opium. Once you start drinking it, you can’t stop.’

Consort Yuan sipped her tea delicately.

"Xiang’er," Ye Qianning said suddenly, stopping her.

Nanxiang was just about to drink. She paused at the sound of her name. "What’s wrong?"

"The color of your tea is a little different from mine." After speaking, Ye Qianning took a sip, then lowered the cup for Nanxiang to see.

Nanxiang craned her neck to look. "They’re the same. Look."

She held her own cup out.

Ye Qianning leaned in, sniffing the tea. It seemed there was nothing wrong with it. Only then did she relax. "You’re right, they’re the same."

Nanxiang giggled and, bringing the cup to her lips, GULPED down more than half of it.

Ye Qianning also brought her cup to her lips and began to drink.

’This kind of low-grade toxin, though hard to detect, is truly child’s play.’

’Is this all the lead disciple of the Medicine King’s family is capable of?’

Catching this out of the corner of her eye, Consort Yuan’s lips curved into a faint smile. She set down her teacup. "I hear that the Empress permitted the Princess of East Shu to meet with the Eighth Prince today?"

"Yes. She entered the palace early this morning but has yet to come to Kunning Palace. I imagine that after not seeing each other for so many years, they must have much to talk about."

"I heard she used to beat Princess Consort Zhen constantly, hating her to the extreme. There was no family affection to speak of. Her visit to the Eighth Prince is probably just for show."

"This princess is no simple character. Your Majesty, you should have someone keep an eye on her," Princess Heliang said, sensing something was amiss.

"Nanny Fang is with her, so there shouldn’t be any problems. However, East Shu has probably also heard about the Emperor’s sudden order for the Eighth Prince to withdraw from his studies yesterday. She will certainly bring it up soon. Consort Yuan, you’ll have to explain it properly on my behalf." The Empress was no fool.

The matter of the Eighth Prince withdrawing from his studies was related to Consort Yuan and the Crown Prince. East Shu’s princess had just arrived to celebrate the birthday and present a grand gift, and immediately after, the Emperor had the prince of East Shu bloodline drop out of his studies and be confined to his palace courtyard.

If the princess from East Shu were to ask, it would be difficult for the Empress to answer. But the person responsible was right here.

Ye Qianning had known since early morning that the Princess of East Shu had entered the palace. A honey-sucker bird and some flying insects were following her.

Since she stepped into Kunning Palace, a small honey-sucker on the roof had been relaying news of the Seventh Princess’s meeting with Sang Zhi. The updates were very simple, with nothing unusual so far.

’Is the Seventh Princess of East Shu really meeting Sang Zhi just to catch up?’

’It can’t be that simple. She must be hiding something big.’

Princess Heliang and Princess Changyang were both surprised. The Eighth Prince had been ordered by the Emperor to withdraw from his studies?

"Your Majesty, why would the Emperor order the Eighth Prince to withdraw from his studies?" Princess Changyang asked.

"I do not know, but Consort Yuan probably does."

"Staring at books all day is bad for the eyes. The Emperor found some medicinal herbs for the Eighth Prince, which will prevent fatigue after taking them. The Emperor had him withdraw from his studies out of pity for him," Consort Yuan said with great sincerity.

Ye Qianning snorted inwardly. ’They’d be thrilled if Sang Zhi went blind. As if they’d find medicine for him.’

"Your Majesty, the Princess of East Shu requests an audience," a eunuch announced in a shrill voice.

"Let her in."

Nanxiang couldn’t sit still any longer. "Royal Aunt, Xiang’er wants to go outside and play for a while."

"Fine, go ahead."

The Empress was very indulgent with Nanxiang. Her repeated calls of "Royal Aunt" had melted her heart.

"Thank you, Royal Aunt!" Nanxiang was overjoyed. She went over and pulled Ye Qianning up. "Pangtuan, come on! I’ll take you to see the flowers in the courtyard."